A watershed is the ridge or crest line between two drainage areas. It’s also a dividing point between two outcomes or phases. My example: “Current adoption policy events are at a watershed, one where the voices of adoptive parents and adoption agencies are beginning to be muted by the voices of adult adoptees and first parents.”
“Watershed” is also an excellent name for a blog. An adoptive parent writes “at-the-watershed” and it is powerful and provocative stuff. It is very much from her heart, written with compassion and consternation. I feel strongly adoptive parents should not write about their children’s confidential stories; this watershed blogger has done exactly that, though she also writes that she’s “done with worrying about the public opinion of other adoptive parents.” To which I say: brava. She acknowledges the risk and potential impact on her children for revealing personal information, and takes responsibility for it. She’s exposing fraud in international adoption. All that takes courage.
She’s also done with “stepping on egg shells with agencies and their leadership,” and done with “turning a blind eye to red flags.” Those actions also take courage, introspection, and thick skin. I wish the family a positive resolution that is transparent, thoughtful, and loving for all involved. It won’t be easy.
How great it would be if those of us who are passionate about adoption, whichever piece of the constellation we perch on, could talk with each other without shouting, could listen deeply even as we disagree vehemently, and could speak for those whose voices have been marginalized–or better, insist that their voices are heard. Maybe we could begin to ride out the perfect storm of adoption reform that is brewing now, and create solutions that have integrity.
Well said, Maureen. My hat is off to you for going in this direction, and I sincerely hope you are able to steer the dialog to a new place. Thank you.
Thanks very much, Margie. I firmly believe we are in this together, and your voice has been and is a thoughtful, necessary, valuable one.
Maureen, you write: “I feel strongly adoptive parents should not write about their children’s confidential stories …” But this post feels quite supportive. I hope you will clarify in a future post. Because I have already come to admire and trust you. Thank you.
Dina, I appreciate your comment, which deserves a thoughtful answer. I’ll post as soon as I can, (my plan is by Monday at the latest), and look forward to hearing your thoughts. I truly enjoy a robust conversation. Thanks.
I love this sweet support. It is a privilege to know friendship with both of you (Watershed and LightofDay).
Thank you, Meghan.
Oh goodness. See what I mean? I meant “write.” This is what happens when I try to write and parent two small children simultaneously. :O
Christy, thanks so much for your very kind words. I remember those days well with small, busy children roaming around. There’s a reason I started this blog as a grandma.
Maureen, I’ll be linking again. You right the way I wish I could!